Only two days behind in Digest reading...
I know I am late in the discussion, but from my knowledge of the
language (limited) and its users (a bit more), Classic Arabic is a better
model than Latin for the West. My reasons are:
- It is fixed in time, as the Sacred Book (Koran) is written in it, so
it cannot be changed.
- Its writers' spoken languages have drifted so much that they have to
recourse to writing to transmit difficult concepts. Then you notice how
differently they pronounce the same word (seen it happen between a Moroccan
and an Egyptian discussing Chemistry).
- Many illiterate people learn words as rote, and even can write them
(not only names, but messages such as Inshallah!, or Allahu akbar!) just
from visiting the mosque/church. I feel the Western have also a fascination
with the written word too.
- It looks great as decoration!
That does not mean Western has to be written right to left, or that it
looks like actual Arabic, but that it is a cursive language with flexible
vowel organization.
Jose